The Northumberland Gazette delves into the archives to remind readers of stories from the past.

Thursday, November 3, 2005

One of the largest neolithic settlements ever found in Britain has been discovered at a Milfield quarry. The rare remains, some of which pre-date Stonehenge, include those of at least three buildings dating to the Early Neolithic period (around 4000BC) and another three from the Later Neolithic period (around 3000BC). There are also hearths, rubbish pits and storage pits. The discovery was made at Tarmac’s Cheviot Quarry as a result of routine archaeological investigation during the summer. Site evacuations are due to be completed this week. Sarah Rushton, of Northumberland County Council, said that the discovery was ‘a major find. It’s the first opportunity to study in detail how Neolithic people lived and used the landscape around these monuments’.

Thursday, November 1, 1990

Environmental efforts to clean up a disused quarry are in the running for a top national award. Tarmac Roadstone’s scheme to refurbish old quarry workings at Littlehoughton have already scooped the North East Golden Leaf award, presented by PA Consulting Group in recognition of the firm’s efforts to spruce up the countryside. Now the initiative, which includes a newly-created lake, nesting places for birds and area of pasture, goes forward to the national finals in London next month. The work took around 18 months and £70,000 investment to complete. It was carried out by sub-contractors Wards of County Durham and supervised by Howick Quarry’s former manager Tony Thompson. The award, the first of its kind, was established to identify projects that are making efforts to improve the environment.

Friday, November 5, 1965

Viscount Lambton, Conservative MP for Berwick, is to ask the Minister of Transport to reconsider his proposal to close Alnwick railway station to passenger traffic. “Lord Lambton is taking this action in view of local inconvenience in bad weather and the impossibility of people living in Alnwick and district being able to reach other stations,” Mr Hill, Lord Lambton’s agent, said this week. Lord Lambton’s help was enlisted by the Alnwick Urban Council when, as reported recently in the Northumberland Gazette, the Alnwick station was threatened with possible closure under the reshaping plan to streamline British Railways. The council said it is also joining with the Northumberland County Council to protest against the possible closure.